Network slicing operation

Abstract

A network control node (Main CTRL or CTRL N) may receive a service request by a WTRU, wherein the service information comprises one or more of a service class, a quality of service (QoS) requirement, or a mobility characteristic. The network control node may determine slice information associated with a plurality of network slices and may select at least a first network slice to serve the WTRU. The network control node may determine whether the network control node or another network control node should service the WTRU for accessing the first network slice. When the network control node determines that the another network control node should service the WTRU for accessing the first network slice, the network control node may send a request to the another network control node that indicates that the another network control node should service the WTRU for accessing the first network slice.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method implemented by a network control node for connecting a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to a network slice, the method comprising:
 the network control node receiving service information associated with a service being requested by the WTRU; 
 the network control node determining, based on subscription information for the WTRU and the received service information, slice information associated with the network slice, wherein the slice information comprises an identifier of the network slice or a service class served by the network slice; and 
 the network control node determining whether the network control node or another network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice, wherein:
 on a condition that the network control node determines that the network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice, the network control node providing the slice information associated with the network slice to the WTRU, and 
 on a condition that the network control node determines that another network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice, the network control node sending a request to a second network control node or a third network control node, wherein, if the request is sent to the second network control node, the request indicates that the second network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice, and wherein, if the request is sent to the third network control node, the request includes information for the third network control node to select the another network control node to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the service information is received based on a network slice selection policy configured for the WTRU. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the service information is received via a non-access stratum (NAS) message. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the request sent to the second network control node includes at least part of the NAS message. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the NAS message is a part of a registration request by the WTRU. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the service information indicates one or more of an application quality of service (QoS) requirement, an application type, or a mobility characteristic of the WTRU. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subscription information is retrieved by the network control node from another network entity. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network control node determining whether the network control node or another network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice comprises the network control node determining whether the network slice is among a set of allowed network slices for the WTRU. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the network control node retrieving, from another network entity, access information regarding the second network control node. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the third network control node comprises a radio access network (RAN) entity. 
     
     
       11. A network control node configured to connect a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to a network slice, the network control node comprising:
 a processor configured to: 
 receive service information associated with a service being requested by the WTRU; 
 determine, based on subscription information for the WTRU and the received service information, slice information associated with the network slice, wherein the slice information comprises an identifier of the network slice, or a service class served by the network slice; and 
 determine whether the network control node or another network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice, wherein:
 based on a determination that the network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network shoe, the processor is configured to provide the slice information associated with the network slice to the WTRU, and 
 based on a determination that another network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice, the processor is configured to send a request to a second network control node or a third network control node, wherein, if the request is sent to the second network control node, the request indicates that the second network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice, and wherein, if the request is sent to the third network control node, the request includes information for the third network control node to select the another network control node to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The network control node of  claim 11 , wherein the service information is received based on a network slice selection policy configured for the WTRU. 
     
     
       13. The network control node of  claim 11 , wherein the service information is received via a non-access stratum (NAS) message. 
     
     
       14. The network control node of  claim 13 , wherein the request sent to the second network control node comprises at least a part of the NAS message. 
     
     
       15. The network control node of  claim 13 , wherein the NAS message is a part of a registration request by the WTRU. 
     
     
       16. The network control node of  claim 11 , wherein the service information indicates one or more of an application quality of service (QoS) requirement, an application type, or a mobility characteristic of the WTRU. 
     
     
       17. The network control node of  claim 11 , wherein the subscription information is retrieved by the network control node from another network entity. 
     
     
       18. The network control node of  claim 11 , wherein the processor being configured to determine whether the network control node or the another network control node is to service the WTRU for accessing the network slice comprises the processor being configured to determine whether the network slice is among a set of allowed network slices for the WTRU. 
     
     
       19. The network control node of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve, from another network entity, access information regarding the second network control node. 
     
     
       20. The network control node of  claim 11 , wherein the third network control node comprises a radio access network (RAN) entity.